Two shooting defendants waived their right to independent DNA testing before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on July 8.
Jerome Dukes, 34, and Justin Borum, 35, are charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Jayvon Jones on Feb. 21, 2023. The incident occurred on the 1400 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE.
Dukes and Jerome declined to do independent DNA testing on the 223 pieces of physical evidence gathered by the prosecution. The extensive list included multiple firearms, more than 90 cartridge casings, and a blood card from the victim.
In the testing done by the prosecution, Borum’s DNA likely matched with samples gathered from the recovered firearms. Dukes’ DNA was excluded from all of the evidence.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 3.
